Last week, our Disability Employment Services (DES) Participants at Status Mirrabooka attended a fun and interactive Easter-themed art and crafts session for an afternoon full of creativity and connection.

The session began with a brief focus group, where Participants shared their thoughts and feedback in a supportive setting. This seamlessly transitioned into a mindful meditation, encouraging relaxation and reflection on the positive emotions inspired by Easter egg colours. It was the perfect way to set a calm and uplifting tone for the afternoon.

Soon after, the Participants got out the art supplies and started getting creative! Participants could choose to paint, colour, glitter, or glue wooden eggs, bunnies, and carrots. There were also scratch-art shapes that revealed a burst of rainbow colours underneath - a big hit with the group!

Although the Participants were meeting for the first time, the shared experience sparked connection, with plenty of conversation, laughter, and tasty snacks enjoyed throughout. The afternoon ended with smiles all around as everyone proudly took home their handcrafted creations.

The session was a joyful and uplifting way to celebrate Easter, bringing everyone together through creativity and community spirit!

Remember Reanna and Bianca? They are two determined job seekers who are part of our Disability Employment Services. Last year Reanna and Bianca took part in a mindful gardening session with our Employment Consultant Sue to assist in managing their mental health challenges.

We are thrilled to share that the pair are making major strides in their job searching journey. Both Reanna and Bianca participated in the recent state election, applying for roles that would challenge their anxieties head-on. Reanna took a brave step by applying to work overnight at her local polling station, a shift from 5 PM to 4 AM. Meanwhile, Bianca found her place at the Balcatta sorting office, joining the Return of Materials team.

Despite facing individual barriers that had previously prevented them from entering the workforce, both women embraced this opportunity with enthusiasm. Bianca flourished during her four weeks at the sorting office, proving to herself that she could navigate the workplace and contribute meaningfully, while Reanna faced the unique challenges of the overnight shift, gaining invaluable experience and insight into her capabilities.

Their hard work and determination not only provided them with vital experience for their resumes but also empowered them to confront their fears and anxiety. The camaraderie they built through their shared experiences further fuelled their motivation and sparked a newfound excitement for future opportunities.

They are now looking ahead with optimism, having already applied for positions at the upcoming federal election. With their newfound confidence and the skills, they developed in their recent roles, Reanna and Bianca are ready to take on new challenges and continue their journey towards fulfilling careers.

All the best with your upcoming roles Reanna and Bianca!

Last Friday, our Disability Employment Service Particpants attended a Meditation and Diamond Art event in celebration of Easter and Western Australian Youth Week.

The event presented a calming vibe as the Participants participated in a mediation story featuring an Easter egg hunt, allowing Participants to concentrate their thoughts and attention, which can enhance focus and clarity.

During the mediation, Participants were able to take advantage of the large range of benefits it can bring, including:
• Stress reduction
• Improved focus
• Emotional well-being
• Enhanced creativity
• Mindfulness and presence
• Connection to community
• Increased happiness

Following the mediation session, Participants engaged in a diamond art activity, getting to work decorating festive key rings and fridge magnets. The hands-on activity allowed the Participants to take home a tangible reminder of their Easter experience as well as the emotional benefits derived from both meditation and creativity. Overall, the combination of these activities supported both personal growth and community engagement, making for a fulfilling Easter celebration with our Participants!

Last week our Disability Employment Service (DES) Participants celebrated the start of Autism Awareness Month in style, with cheerful and educational celebrations across our sites.

𝗔 𝗳𝗲𝘄 𝗵𝗶𝗴𝗵𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗲 𝗰𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀:

𝗖𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗸𝘀𝗼𝗻 – Our DES Participants got together to share their personal experiences with family members or friends on the Autism spectrum. During the event, our lovely Employment Consultant, Sue, led a presentation that covered important aspects of Autism, including social communication and interaction, social imagination and flexibility of thought, as well as unusual sensory responses.

𝗠𝗮𝗻𝗱𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗵 – Participants engaged in conversations and activities to deepen their understanding of Autism, whilst surrounded by blue decorations put up by the team to mark the occasion. It was inspiring to see everyone come together, embracing the opportunity to grow, supporting one another, and having fun whilst doing so!

𝗠𝗶𝗱𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗱 – Our Employment Consultants hosted an informative morning tea, complete with snacks and an entertaining and educational video about everyday life living with Autism. During a debrief session, one Participant shared that he has Autism and mentioned how much of what was discussed in the video resonated with his own experiences. This was a powerful moment for everyone, as it not only highlighted the personal connection but also reinforced the importance of understanding and accepting neurodiversity.

Events like this contribute to the overall understanding and wider acceptance of Autism, something we are proud to do at Status!

Our Status sites had a blast celebrating International Women’s Day! 💜

Complete with cakes, coffee and plenty of purple, our sites came together to celebrate the women in our lives.

Some highlights from our International Women’s Day celebrations:

𝗖𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗮𝘆𝘀𝘄𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗢𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗮 𝗛𝗼𝘂𝘀𝗲 – Our Status team attended an inspiring event focused on uplifting women, particularly those affected by family and domestic violence. Our team assisted in putting together gift bags, complete with gift cards donated by Status.

𝗨𝗽𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗠𝗼𝗿𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗧𝗲𝗮𝘀 – Many of our Status sites hosted morning teas to celebrate, embracing the spirit of the day with plenty of purple decorations and even wearing purple outfits to show their support!

𝗜𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 – Our sites also chose to start meaningful and thought-provoking conversations about this year’s theme #AccelerateAction for All Women and Girls. Using resources and activities from the official International Womens Day website, our Participants were able to walk away from the events with a renewed sense of empowerment and inspiration.

As part of our celebrations, we proudly supported Dress for Success Adelaide through gold coin donations and nearly-new women’s workwear contributions. Dress for Success Adelaide are a South Australian charity providing women with professional attire, career advice, and confidence to help them succeed in interviews and their first weeks at work, empowering them on their journey toward financial independence.

You can learn more about Dress for Success Adelaide, including how to support their mission at adelaide.dressforsuccess.org/get-involved.